Bayer Pledges 5 Million Hands-On Science Learning Experiments for Children in the United States by 2025

New Pledge Accelerates 20+ Year Commitment to Improving Science Education; Program Kicks Off with Unveiling of 'Science Studio' Alexa Skill

Bayer on target to reach and surpass its 1 Million goal by 2020

WHIPPANY, N.J., Nov. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On the verge of surpassing its goal of providing 1 million hands-on science experiences to children in the United States by the year 2020, Bayer announced today its next ambitious goal – to provide a total of 5 million such experiences by the year 2025.

The milestone, if achieved, will correspond with the 30th anniversary of Bayer's award-winning commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in the United States.

Bayer announced the initial 1 million "hands-on" goal at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in 2015. To date, Bayer has provided nearly 900,000 engaging science experiences to U.S. students and will reach, and furthermore, surpass its goal by 2020.

Today, Bayer also launched its first-ever Alexa skill – Science Studio by Bayer – to help reach the 5 million mark by 2025. Alexa skills are capabilities that enhance and personalize the voice experience on Alexa-enabled devices and are akin to apps for smartphones. Skills can be tailored for a variety of uses like learning something new, playing a game or being more productive around the home. Science Studio by Bayer, which is a science-focused skill for kids and their parents, offers step-by-step instructions for kid-friendly experiments, including how to build an Alka-Rocket, and how to make slime and elephant's toothpaste. The experiments require adult supervision but are simple enough that they can be conducted at home. Each experiment is accompanied by a scientific explanation, and ultimately aim to help entertain and teach kids about important concepts in STEM. The skill also offers STEM homework assistance and step-by-step instructions for kid-friendly experiments that can be done in and outside the home. Once enabled, just say "Alexa, open Science Studio."

Bayer today will host an event at the Indianapolis Children's Museum that debuts Science Studio by Bayer. The event will introduce more than 300 students from six Indianapolis-area schools to the new Alexa skill.

"Encouraging young people to engage in science in new and innovative ways is just one way that Bayer reinforces its commitment to STEM education," said Raymond F. Kerins, Jr., Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs of Bayer.

"According to independent research, by 2020, it is thought that 94.2 million U.S. households will own a smart speaker – that's three out of four households," Kerins said. "Now, more than ever, we need novel approaches like this which will help us inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators, because science matters."

Bayer: Science For A Better Life

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2017, the Group employed around 99,800 people and had sales of EUR 35.0 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.4 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.5 billion. For more information, go to www.bayer.us.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.